But while the dueling shutouts stand out on the stat sheet, Rockford coach Ed VanPortfliet made sure to credit each side for limiting offensive chances in the evenly-played tilt.

"Both teams played great defensive hockey," VanPortfliet said. "It's a typical Tier 1 hockey game...eight of 11 so far this year have gone to OT. Always close, always even, anything can happen.

"The goalies made the saves they had to, but there were no second chances. The defenses cleaned up the rest."

Grand Haven coach Dan Gadbois agreed, with an additional tip of the cap to the sportsmanlike nature of the game. The two teams combined to take three penalties in three regulation periods, plus the eight-minute sudden-death overtime.

"It was a physical hockey game, but it wasn't dirty," Gadbois said. "Rockford is a great, clean team that's fun to play against. It was back-and-forth but neither of us could break through against the goaltenders."

Grand Haven (4-1-2) next battles Muskegon Mona Shores on Wednesday at Walker Ice & Fitness Center. Rockford (2-3-2) has to wait 11 days to get back at it, as the Rams host Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern/Northern on Dec. 19 at Griff's IceHouse.